Computerdolly

ABSTRACT

A portable computer workstation for ergonomic use in overcrowded work settings in the home, dormitory, and business settings, is described. A portable computer workstation which has rear shelving, and vertically aligned with the monitor thereby realizing a narrower workstation, located under a transparent substantially elongated horizontal working surface through which storage areas and compartments can be viewed, combined with efficient access to rear and adjustable side storage compartments for the user in a seated position. Side storage compartments can be easily attached to the frame of the workstation. The frame is preferably mounted on wheels and lockable casters so that the same can be moved easily from one location to another secured while using said computer workstation.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED CASE(S)

[0001] This application is entitled to the benefit of Provisional Patent Application Serial #29/119416 filed Feb. 29, 2000.

[0002] This invention uses the transmission of my co-pending application Serial #29/128443 filed Aug. 25, 2000.

STATEMENT REGARDING FEDERALLY SPONSORED RESEARCH AND DEVELOPMENT

[0003] Not applicable.

BACKGROUND—FIELD OF THE INVENTION

[0004] This invention relates generally to furniture, and more particularly to an article of furniture intended for use as a relatively compact computer workstation designed to be economically used by a seated person in a cramped work setting.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

[0005] People who work while sitting at a computer desk in overcrowded environments have special needs with regard to a computer workstation. A few examples of such work places include homes, dormitories, and offices. In these environments, a computer workstation needs to be compact in order to decrease the amount of floor space and yet be ergonomically designed for use by a seated individual. Furthermore, the various computer devices, supplies and educational materials should be easy accessible and visible, yet not be inconveniently emplaced on the work surface.

[0006] However, these needs have not been completely addressed and are still observed in the work setting. Computer peripheral devices are positioned on and within the work surface thereby reducing and denying access to this working space normally provided by the tabletop. An oversized table is usually crammed into an area with inadequate floor space to pacify this predicament however; the problem is not completely solved. The lack of sufficient floor space has been partially addressed by designing computer carts with just a keyboard shelf, however, the said design provides no work surface area requiring additional furniture to accommodate the lack of work surface area thereby defeating the primary intent of said design. An inadequate work area is not the only obstacle presented in the work environment. Office supplies, educational materials, and computer peripherals require storage space that is easily accessible in order to work more efficiently. Having to store said items on the work surface area. Even though having a storage room, additional bookshelves, or filing cabinets could expand the storage capacity each requires additional floor space. A storage solution has been partially addressed by placing the said items in draws under the working surface of conventional desks. This said design can be improved because said drawers offer limited and fixed storage capacity, can be difficult to access, and be frustrating fumbling through said storage space trying to locate the items being sought. Dragging a large desk into the storage room may solve working more efficiently and reduce the frustration.

[0007] What is needed is a portable computer workstation designed for a work environment that is overcrowded with tables that lack adequate work surface area, with limited floor space, and limited storage areas which are inconvenient and often difficult to reach.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

[0008] A portable computer workstation is disclosed which has rear shelving located under the horizontal working surface and vertically aligned with the monitor thereby realizing a narrower workstation combined with visual access to rear bottom storage and convenient access to adjustable side storage compartments for the user in a seated position, while permitting the use of a computer and preserving the computer station's work surface area. Accordingly, several objects and advantages of the present invention are:

[0009] a) to provide a computer workstation with an elongated transparent work surface while accommodating a computer monitor and keyboard, with the option of using the keyboard on the work surface or stowing it off to the side the said area when not using the computer.

[0010] b) to provide a computer workstation with unobstructed viewing access to the rear and adjustable side storage compartments through the transparent desktop for effortless retrieval.

[0011] c) to provide a computer workstation with attachable side storage compartments and an expandable rear storage area supporting a printer and a computer processing unit and offering a combination of other arrangements under a transparent desk top work surface.

[0012] d) to provide a computer workstation that is compact and easy to maneuver in cramped work settings.

[0013] e) to provide a computer workstation with a compact frame situated on a plurality of casters and wheels attached to the frame for easy maneuverability in cramped working environments occupying approximately six square feet of floor space.

[0014] f) to provide a computer workstation with side storage compartments immediately below the desktop allowing convenient access to either side for viewing and retrieving items by the user while seated at the computer workstation.

[0015] g) to provide a computer workstation with storage means beneath the desk top work surface and the storage compartments at either side of the kneehole space provided for the user of the desk.

[0016] Further objects and advantages are to provide variations on designs for the computer workstation without changing its function including a variety of colors for the transparent work surface, improvements to the narrow frame design, various attachable storage compartment shapes and colors, a variety of wheels and casters, design changes to enhance the convenience in assembly, and choice in construction materials. Still further objects and advantages of my invention will become apparent from a consideration of the drawings and ensuing description.

DRAWING FIGURES

[0017]FIG. 1 is a left perspective view of the computer workstation according to one embodiment of the present invention.

[0018]FIG. 2 is a back view of the computer workstation shown in FIG. 1.

[0019]FIG. 3 is a left side elevational view and a mirror image of the right side of the computer workstation shown in FIG. 1..

[0020]FIG. 4 is a front view of a computer workstation in FIG. 1..

[0021]FIG. 5 is a bottom view of the computer workstation shown in FIG. 1.

[0022]FIG. 6 is a top view of the computer workstation shown in FIG. 1.

[0023]FIG. 7 is a left perspective view of the computer workstation according to another embodiment of the present invention.

DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0024] Referring now to the drawings FIGS. 1-7, wherever like reference numerals are used, they are intended to refer to identical features throughout all of the drawings for this four sided computer workstation 10, a top which is an elongated transparent work surface 30, a plurality of side storage type compartments 60 and 62, a bottom rear storage shelf 40, a plurality of casters 50 with locking mechanisms 54, and a plurality wheels 52. As best seen in FIGS. 5 and 6, the computer workstation 10 is preferably rectangular shaped, longer than wide, that includes a right side vertical support 20, a left side vertical support 22, a back side vertical support 24, a front side vertical support 26, a top forward horizontal crossbar 32, a top backward horizontal crossbar 34, and a bottom forward horizontal crossbar 42. The top forward horizontal crossbar 32 and top backward horizontal crossbar 34 are parallel to each other and connected to the left side vertical support 22 and the right side vertical support 20 in a perpendicular orientation at their corresponding top inside edge 94. The bottom forward horizontal crossbar 32 is connected to the left side vertical support 22 and the right side vertical support 20, in a perpendicular orientation at their corresponding bottom inside edge 92. The left side vertical support 22 has approximately the same dimensions as the right side vertical support 20. The front side vertical support 26 is approximately the same width as the backside vertical support 24. The computer workstation 10 is preferably formed from a durable material, such as steel or aluminum, or other suitable material, and attached to one another in any one of several methods known in the art.

[0025] As best seen in FIGS. 1, 2, and 6, the rectangular shaped transparent horizontal work surface 30 is preferably flush mounted along the top edge 96 of the left side vertical support 22, the right side vertical support 20, the back side vertical support 24, and the front side vertical support 26, and resting on the top forward horizontal crossbar 32 and top backward horizontal crossbar 34 of the computer workstation 10. Work surface 30 is approximately the same width and length as the computer workstation 10, and is preferably made from a durable material, such as thermoplastics, including but not limited to acrylic.

[0026] A best seen in FIGS. 1, 2, 5, and 6, the bottom horizontal shelf 40 is preferably flush mounted along the top edge 98 bottom left side vertical support 22, the right side vertical support 20, the back side vertical support 24, and resting on bottom forward horizontal crossbar 42, of the computer workstation 10. The bottom horizontal shelf 40 is approximately equal in with and ½ the length of the rectangular shaped transparent horizontal work surface 30. The bottom horizontal shelf 40 is preferably made from a durable material, such as sheet metal.

[0027] As best seen in FIGS. 2, 3, 4, and 5, the casters 50 are mounted on the back side of the computer workstation 10, at the bottom left corner 100, and at the bottom right corner 102, of the corresponding left side vertical support 22 and the right side vertical support 20. The casters 50 are preferably of a relatively large diameter, about 2½ inches, and are preferably as wide, about 2½ inches, to decrease the amount of effort to move the computer workstation 10 over rough floors, through doorway thresholds, over carpet, and the like. Casters 50, are preferably made from a wear resistant material such as polyurethane, and preferably include locking mechanisms 54 so the computer workstation 10 can be locked in place for added stability while stationary. The preferred locking mechanism 54 prevents casters 50 from turning and from swiveling.

[0028] Referring now to FIGS. 1, 3, and 4, ergonomic and stability features of the computer workstation 10 are illustrated. The said computer workstation 10 is preferably sized and designed for comfortable use by a sitting person positioned within the kneehole which is located below the front side vertical support 26 This area is preferably sized and designed to be approximately 2 inches narrower than the width of the computer workstation 10, and the height is the distance from the floor to the bottom surface 98 of the front side vertical support 26, approximately 26 inches.

[0029] In the preferred embodiment, the computer workstation 10 is longer than wide, and has a height of about thirty inches, a width of about 28 inches and a depth of about 34 inches. However, it has been found that the ergonomics of the computer workstation 10 can be maintained provided as long as the depth is longer than the width. The dimensions of the computer workstation 10 allow it to occupy less than about 6 square feet of floor space.

[0030] Referring now to FIGS. 5, 6, and 7, alternative embodiments of computer workstation 10 are presented. In the case of FIG. 7, a side storage compartment design 60 and 62 support but are not limited to such office supplies as pencils, pens, rulers, markers, and may also support such computer devices as the keyboard, mouse, and mouse pad. Storage compartments 60 and 62 can be configured to accept such computer devices while using the workstation as a study table rather than a computer workstation. Those skilled in the art will appreciate that a keyboard cradle could support the adaptability of the workstation. The side storage compartments 60 and 62 are preferably made from a durable material, but not limited to heavy woven cloth. The side storage compartments 60 and 62 are attached to the inside wall top 94 and bottom 92 of either the left side vertical support 22 and the right side vertical support 20.

[0031] Conclusion, Ramifications, and Scope

[0032] Although the description above contains many specifications these should not be construed to limiting the scope of the invention but as merely providing illustrations of some of the presently preferred embodiments of this invention. For example, the workstation can have other shapes to the vertical supports, such as square corners or variance of degree in the rounded corner. Likewise alternative transparent vertical panels can be used in place of the folding side storage compartments. Also, the plurality of caster and wheel supports can be welded to the frame for additional support. The horizontal support attachment can be secured flush with a screw to the vertical frame rather than drilling into the frame than securing through the top. While drilling holes have certain advantages alternative means such as conventional screws can be used in its place.

[0033] Those skilled in the art will draw from the teachings herein and conceive of other embodiments of the invention other than those illustrated and disclosed herein. It is intended that all such embodiments so drawn shall fall within the ambit of protection provided by the claims appended hereto.

[0034] Having described my invention in the foregoing specification and illustrations in such clear and concise manner that those skilled in the art will readily understand and be enabled to easily practice it, that which I claim is: 

I claim:
 1. A computer workstation easily adaptable for use with various computer system configurations while preserving an unencumbered top work surface to be used by a sitting human, comprising: (a) a portable frame being longer than wide and having an attachable transparent horizontal top work surface; (b) a bottom rear storage shelf located under said horizontal top work surface and vertically aligned with computer monitor; (c) a left side vertical storage compartment, a right side vertical storage compartment, both said storage compartments attached directly to said frame below said horizontal top work surface.
 2. The computer workstation of claim 1 wherein said left side vertical storage compartment and right side vertical storage compartment are attached to the respective inside wall of said frame while providing visual and convenient access through the said transparent work surface by a sitting person.
 3. The computer workstation of claim 2 further comprising means for supporting said attachable transparent horizontal work surface top at a convenient height above a floor such that a user seated at the said computer workstation may conveniently use the unencumbered work surface provided by said workstation for writing and working and have visual access to said left side vertical storage compartment, said right side vertical storage compartment, and said bottom rear shelf located below said horizontal top work surface.
 4. The computer workstation of claim 1 comprising: (a) a plurality of casters and wheels attached to the bottom of said frame. (b) a plurality of lockable casters located at rear of said bottom and, (c) a plurality of wheels located at front of said bottom, (d) a center of gravity located at a position such that said computer workstation will remain upright when stationary.
 5. An article of furniture for holding objects for a sitting human, comprising: (a) a top surface is a rigid sheet of sufficient size to accommodate use by a human for writing and working at ergonomic height from floor to the said horizontal top work surface of approximately 30 inches, (b) two equally proportioned rectangular vertical left side and right side members with a horizontal length of 34 inches and a vertical length of 25 inches approximately, (c) a front side vertical support member and a rear side vertical support member of equal length in order to provide the computer workstation with a width of approximately 28 inches, (d) a plurality of crossbars joined in a perpendicular orientation to said rectangular vertical side members at spaced locations so as to be able to support said rigid sheet in a horizontal position (e) a left side, a right side storage compartments expandable to approximately 25 inches in vertical length and 15 inches in horizontal length in a vertical orientation, (f) a rear bottom storage area with a vertical height of approximately 23 inches, length approximately ½ the size of said top work surface, and its width equal to the top work surface approximately, (g) a plurality of lockable casters and wheels attached at bottom of said article of furniture with diameter equaling approximately 2½ inches and consistent in width. 